Page 103 of Desire of a Highlander

Watching them, Elodie felt an unexpected surge of pride. These people weren’t soldiers. In fact, only a few weeks ago most had been a group of homeless, frightened refugees. Now they moved together with purpose, like one organism.

“My turn,” she whispered.

Raising her chin, she clapped her hands loudly and called, “Everyone who’s not fighting, with me!”

A crowd began to gather around her. Everyone looked worried. Terrified, even, but nobody was panicking. This too, was what they’d practiced.

“Remember the plan,” Elodie called. “Everyone to their positions!”

People moved to obey. Some of the women shepherded half a dozen little ones towards the defensive circle they’d built from wagons lashed wheel to wheel. Others hurried to reinforce the shallow ditches dug around the encampment over the afternoon.

Elodie moved amongst them, directing, encouraging, adjusting.

“You two, help Mrs MacGregor.”

“Keep the little ones together.”

“More water over there.”

A frightened little girl began crying and Elodie crouched beside her. “You’re doing brilliantly.”

The little girl wiped her nose on the back of her hand. “I dinna want to die.”

The words nearly broke Elodie. Instead, she smiled, forcing every ounce of confidence she could muster into her voice. “You won’t. I promise. Come with me.”

She held out her hand. The little girl took it and Elodie led her into the protective circle of wagons and gave her into the care of the women there.

Turning, Elodie looked out over the camp, eyes searching. She found Ronan moving along the defensive line. He stopped to clasp Eamon’s shoulder, then spoke quietly to David who had insisted on taking his position despite his half-healed injury. Ronan reached Sarah who’d taken up a defensive position right next to her husband. The young woman held a staff in one hand and wore a scrounged sword at her belt. She looked frightened but determined. Ronan said something that made her nod firmly. Then he moved on.

Elodie smiled despite herself. Sarah caught sight of her and gave a tiny wave. Elodie returned it.

A shout came from one of the forward lookouts. “There!”

Elodie turned to look where he was pointing and saw movement flickering amongst the trees. A mounted rider burst briefly from the woodland before wheeling away again. Moments later three more appeared from another direction.

“They’re feeling us out,” Eamon shouted from the line.

Ronan nodded. “Hold!”

A minute later riders burst from another section of the woods. This time there were half a dozen. Muskets cracked. Smoke billowed. One of Ronan’s defenders stumbled backwards clutching his shoulder. But the Murdoch riders didn’t press the attack, they vanished once more into the trees.

“They’re trying to draw us out,” someone shouted.

“Stay where you are!” Ronan bellowed.

Elodie’s hands clenched into fists. This wasn’t how she’d imagined it, this horrible cat and mouse. She glanced towards the bridge where she could see Campbell banners fluttering in the breeze. Bryce and his mounted men waited on the far side. They were watching, waiting. Doing nothing to help them. Fury flared through her.

“You stubborn idiot,” she muttered beneath her breath.

She’d poured everything she had into convincing him. And still he just stood there watching innocent people fight for their lives. She wanted to march over there and shake him.

“Bring him here!”

Elodie’s head snapped round to see two people helping the young man who’d been shot towards the wagons. Blood soaked one sleeve and Faye was already hurrying over. Elodie went to meet them.

“Lay him here.”

Together she and Faye eased the wounded man onto a blanket.